PAINESVILLE —
Every Thanksgiving for the rest of his life, Zach Borton will remember the taste of his grandmother’s pumpkin pie.
Eleanor Robertson’s family will gather on Thursday with plenty of tears in their eyes and memories in their hearts as they spend their first holiday without her.
The 77-year-old Madison Township woman was stabbed 94 times by Zachary Weimer on June 13. He and his mother, Danna Weimer, have been found guilty of her death, dousing her body with chemicals, robbing her house of valuables and taking her mini van.
Danna will be sentenced on Dec. 12, and Zachary faces life in prison at his sentencing on Dec. 17, court records show.
Eleanor’s son, Scot Robertson, said he breathed a huge sigh of relief as Judge Vincent Culotta read the verdict against Zachary Weimer.
“It was amazing because (Weimer) had no reaction,” Scot Robertson said. “He had no reaction, just like his mother when they read her verdict.”
Eleanor’s daughter, Penny Borton, said she had often thought of asking her mother to come live with her in Clinton, but felt Eleanor’s Madison Township neighborhood was a safe place.
“I never, ever thought something like this would happen in that neighborhood,” she said.
Madison resident Brenda Peters said she is happy to have justice for her friend, no matter how hard it was to hear the testimony.
“When the coroner took the stand, those details were so disturbing,” she said. “To know that (Eleanor) didn’t die quick, to know that she actually suffered hurts me the most.”
In the immediate emotional aftermath of the trial and verdict, the Robertsons and Bortons spent a few minutes thinking about Thanksgiving, working out who will make each dish — the ambrosia salad, potato salad, and the pumpkin pie — and who will come closest to getting Eleanor’s recipes just right.
“I’ll make the sweet potatoes,” Scot Robertson said. “I make them right — just like she made them.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
MARGIE NETZEL / Star Beacon PENNY BORTON, daughter of murder victim Eleanor Robertson, hugs Lake County assistant prosecuting attorney Mark Bartolotta in Lake County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday morning after a jury convicted 23-year-old Zachary Weimer of murder. Margie Netzel
Discussion
Victim's family reacts to verdict
- Local News
-
-
Stretch of Rt. 193 open, another to close
A section of Route 193 in Sheffield and Kingsville townships closed for repairs has reopened, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District Four office in Akron.
-
Ashtabula Brass Band presents free concert tonight
The Ashtabula Brass Band will present a free spring concert at 7 tonight in the auditorium at Kent State University Ashtabula.
-
Physicals today for Lakeside student-athletes
Any Lakeside High School or Lakeside Junior High School student-athletes who needs a physical can get one today during school hours.
-
Woman charged after stabbing boyfriend in arm
A Cherry Valley woman is being charged with felonious assault and domestic violence after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend Sunday night.
-
City to host Tire Amnesty Day June 1
The city will host Tire Amnesty Day on June 1 to help residents get rid of scrap tires, City Manager Jim Timonere said at Monday’s City Council meeting.
-
Final count begins for special election
The official outcome of the May 7 special election should be known by the end of the week.
-
White Turkey moving on without its beloved owner
Mother’s Day weekend saw the White Turkey Drive-In in Conneaut launch its 61st year in business, but nobody connected with the curbside restaurant felt like celebrating.
-
Bob Evans employee may face fraud charges
A Bob Evans employee could be facing fraud charges after allegedly engaging in a scheme to defraud customers through unauthorized use of their credit cards.
-
Kids injured in fire
Two children suffered minor second-degree burns in a kitchen fire downtown Monday, according to the Ashtabula Fire Department.
City firefighters said the fire sparked at 123 W. 43rd St. at about 11:15 a.m., the report said. -
Road closings
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Sill Road will be closed for railroad repair at the CSX Railroad crossing between Middle Road and Route 20 Wednesday through May 28.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Stretch of Rt. 193 open, another to close
